Seminole Culture, History, Statistics, People & Events in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s heavy Indian population represents nearly 40 federally recognized tribes. Those representing the five largest tribes based on census figures (Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creek and Seminoles) still today have lifestyles that reflect some of the most valued aspects of the lives of their ancestors.

Rosetta Finney doesn’t like to have her photo taken. “That’s the Indian in me,” she said, “I don’t want my picture spread around.”
As well as Indian ancestry, Rosetta has black freedmen, hispanic and white ancestors. When asked what that makes her, she says: “A Heinz 57.”
For most of Rosetta’s life, she has been a member of the Dosar Barkus band, one of the Seminole tribe’s two black freedmen bands. Rosetta represented Dosar Barkus on the tribal council for many years until her mixed blood attracted criticism and her loyalty to the freedmen was questioned.

Hundreds of thousands of American Indians to get notices of their rights in the $3.4 billion settlement. Hundreds of thousands of Indians throughout the country will receive detailed information through the mail. The department also is conducting an extensive media campaign.

Seminole Indians are descended from Lower Creeks who severed their political ties in the late 18th century and relocated from the Chattahoochee River to northern Florida, which had been largely stripped of its native population by European colonization.